u/torstein

Poland, the US and Ukraine are absolutely corrupt societies, but while the US is devolving into a Russia-esque regime, Poland and Ukraine are trying to improve their lot.

Let me respond in language you might understand:

I'm sure you're already aware of this at some level somewhere, so not applying this knowledge and uncritically accepting the depictions on **Russian TV** is just plain bonkers. Likewise, uncritically accepting the **Russian talking points about each protest** is also just as equally bonkers; the bare-bones minimum for critical thinking is analyzing **who would have benefitted from the status-quo** and searching for information (beyond the information that your regime wants you to see) will give you the answers.

That's laughable.

Both happened due to Ukrainians being fed up with political corruption.

Ukraine went through horrible economical and political upheaval during the 90s. At the same time the western ukrainians were free to watch Polish TV, they interacted with their European brethren and were able to see how countries without chronical corruption worked.

The difference between them and their Russian counterparts is that they rose up and threw their corrupted leaders out on their asses a few times. I hope the Russians grow a spine within my lifetime.

Don't forget that Maidan was about Yanukovic's bait and switch when it came to Ukraine's economic ties with the EU and a potential route to EU-candidate status.

You may be convinced that the uprising were the result of American soft power, but I'm convinced that it was through experiencing the upheaval of the post Soviet 90s and their experience seeing neighboring former east-bloc brethren improving their lives during the same period.

Objectively, Russia threw a fit when the orange revolution happened. Even more so when Maidan happened and their stooge had to flee the country.

Having a former Soviet state turn into a functional democracy, with lower levels of corruption and a higher standard of living, might inspire forces within Russia to do the same, no?